Sandy701's Journal, 28 March 2014

Wow, it's been awhile! Seems like it was just the other day when I was on site, but I guess time flies!

I'll need to do a lot of catching up on journals!

Things are pretty much the same with me, still trying to find the "easy" way back to my goal. Sigh.

I was at Wally World yesterday and saw that the Atkins nutritionist has a 2013 book about the Atkins program, published especially for WalMart. The book has a few pages of coupons for Atkins products, redeemable at WalMart, of course. I flipped through it for a bit to get an idea if there was anything new. I WAS surprised - but then again, maybe not - that there was a part about making sure you have a supply of Atkins bars, shakes, and meals on hand to help your journey along. There also seemed to be a few more question-and-answer sections that had some information on carb cycling and other more current topics. I ended up not buying the book.

Today is my 4-year anniversary of beginning this weight loss journey and switching to a low-carb WOE. Although I didn't find FS until June of 2010, the real work began 4 years ago today. While not perfect, I'm still in MUCH better shape and health than I was 4 years ago, not to mention 70-80 pounds lighter!

This morning, I was at McDonald's with a group of women, having coffee. At one point, the conversation turned to restaurants and typical meals they would have with their grandkids and counting calories, etc. I realized that my food experiences these days are completely different than what they were describing. I USED TO eat regularly at Burger King, Taco Bell, Wendy's, this sub sandwich place and that, have Chinese take-out, etc., but now it's completely different.

Most of these women did not know me when I began this journey and I very rarely talk about my weight loss. While I'm proud of my journey, and it's still a work-in-progress to me, the bulk of my weight loss is in the past and not really a relevant topic for most conversations. Ultimately, as time passes, people will come to know me only as I am right now, not as I used to be. My weight loss is a big part of my history, but it isn't my ONLY history. :)

Congrats on the huge weight loss and for maintaining. I think maintaining is harder then everyone thinks. Kudos to you as well for making the changes to improve your health. And you are truly right when you say 'it's a work-in-progress'. Keep up the amazing work!

I really love the thought that maybe some day my weight loss journey won't always be a topic of conversation with people... I will be just "me" as I am, I really yearn for that some days!!
I'm really always surprised at how different I eat from how other people do when we getting to talking about it though... the other day I mentioned to someone that I make homecooked meals... she was confused about what that meant, she thought I was talking about making homemade bread!! I swear I get the craziest looks from people when I talking about eating vegetables and meat. Like, really?!?! Is that such an oddball thing these days? Wow....

Thanks Shadow. That's amazing that the people you were talking to were confused about "home-cooked" meals! That's crazy! But I agree that for too many folks these days, eating home-cooked foods at home is a rarity. Have a good weekend.

Sandy...I know this is horribly late, BUT...HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! I am smiling, thinking about you coming to the realization of the vast differences between the way it was and the way it is. I was at Walmart today, and as usual, (bad habit?), anyway, I like to check out what other people have in their carts, always surprised by the amount of prepackaged junk there is on the shelves. Thinking about how somebody who didn't know me "before my WOE change", well I was buying the same stuff...thinking I was trying to do good. Now I know I am much better off.

Most of the time at the grocery, it seems folks's carts are filled with more bags and boxes than meat or fresh vegetables. I started cooking, in earnest, about 10 yrs ago when little one asks where do "nuggets" come from on the chicken! Hurry, Hurry and head to the nearest Farmer's Market!

Hi Sandy! Congratulations on your 4 year anniversary! I'm sure maintaining is challenging but I can't really speak with authority as I've never actually reached my goal to find out, lol! I've been away for far too long and regained far too much but I'm here again, for better or worse. ;)